Use This Email Template to Reschedule a Job Interview (Without Destroying Your Chances)

You’ve had a job interview scheduled for days (maybe even weeks) when the unthinkable happens: You need to reschedule.

Perhaps you need to deal with a family emergency and will be out of town for the next several days. Or, maybe you’re sick and can barely make it out of bed—let alone your house.

Regardless of the specifics, you know that you need to get in touch with that hiring manager to see if you can push your interview to another day. And, ideally, you’d like to do so without burning bridges or totally sabotaging your chances of landing that role.

Is this even possible? Yes, my panicked friend, it is. You just need to use this handy email template.

Hi [Name of Interviewer],

I’m really looking forward to the chance to talk with you about [role] with [Company].

Unfortunately, I [reason you need to reschedule the interview]. As a result, I’m wondering if we could reschedule this interview for a later date. I’m available [two or three other times and days that work for you].

I’m so sorry to throw a wrench in your schedule at the last minute. But, I’m still really enthusiastic about this opportunity and am hopeful that we can connect soon.

Thanks so much for understanding, [Name of Interviewer].

All the best,[Your Name]

Ideally, the sooner that you can give a heads up that you won’t be coming in, the better.

But, even if you can only provide a couple hours notice, this template will help you back out in a way that’s polite and professional (without doing irreparable damage to your reputation!).

Although, fair warning: You shouldn’t make a habit of rescheduling. Needing to do so once is copacetic. Any more than that, and you’ll seem unreliable.

Remember, unexpected things happen and hiring managers are human too—which means that more often than not, they’ll understand.